Synonyms
Medical: Corpus vertebra
- Vertebral body
- Columna vertebralis
- Cervical vertebra
- Thoracic vertebra
- Lumbar vertebra
- Cross vertebra
- Breech vertebrae
- Vertebral Arch
- Atlas
- Axis
Anatomy
The human spine consists of the vertebrae and the intervertebral disc between them. The human body usually has between 32 – 34 vertebral bodies, in most cases 33. These vertebral bodies are divided into
- 7Neck vertebrae (Vertebrae cervicales)
- 12 Thoracic vertebrae (Vertebrae thoracicae)
- 5Lumbar vertebrae (Vertebrae lumbales)
- 5Cross vertebrae (Vertebrae sacrales)
- 4Rump vertebrae (Vertebrae coccygeae)
The vertebrae of the cervical spine, thoracic spine (BWS) and lumbar spine (LWS) remain mobile.
With the exclusion of growth, the cruciate vertebrae and coccygeal vertebrae merge into the sacrum (Os sacrum) and coccyx (Os coccygis). The first and second cervical vertebrae take up a special position and are called atlas and axis. The vertebrae develop
- A vertebral body
- A vertebral arch
- A spinous process
- Two transverse processes
- Four joint processes
- A whirling hole
- And two intervertebral holes.
The vertebra (corpus vertebrae) consists of a hard bone layer (top plate and base plate) and a soft interior (cancellous bone).
The vertebrae are the load carriers of the upper body and transmit the force to the pelvis and legs. The vertebral arch (Arcus vertebralis) surrounds the spinal cord behind the vertebral bodies and provides protection. The spinous process (Procesus spinosus) starts at the rear part of the vertebral arch and is easy to feel.
Each vertebra has a spinous process. It serves as a lever for the muscles to move the spine. The largest spinous process is found at the 7th cervical vertebra, it is called Vertebra prominens.
The transverse processes (processi transversi) also serve as muscle attachment points for lateral movements of the spinal column. In the thoracic spine, the ribs attach to the transverse processes and form the costal vertebral joints. The articular processes connect the various vertebrae with each other by means of joints.
Two articular processes are connected to the one above and two to the one below (= vertebral joints). The vertebral hole (forms vertebralis) is surrounded by the vertebral arch. The spinal cord runs through it.
The vertebral holes of the various vertebrae form the spinal canal (Canalis vertebralis). The two intervertebral holes (Foramina intervertebralia) serve as exit points for the nerves, each of which leaves the spinal cord per vertebra. The spinal column is stabilized by the spinal ligaments.
The most important of these is the ligamentum flavum (intervertebral ligament), which stretches to the sides of the vertebral arches. It has a yellowish appearance and consists of elastic fibers. Through its tension it helps the spine to return to its normal state.
- Vertebral body
- Transverse process
- Articular Process Vertebral Joint
- Spinous process
- Whirling hole
